Translator: Michiko
Editor: Elena
“Reiru!”
“Gio…”
Catching sight of Reiru, Gio rushed in and embraced him in his arms.
Reiru felt as if it had been a long time since he had been hugged so tightly, so he savored the strength of the hug along with the joy that welled up in his heart.
“I was really surprised because you suddenly disappeared.”
“Sorry, I also didn’t mean for it to happen…”
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“Gp zsdt yp usw’al pyql, vbyv’p yzz vbyv xyvvlap. Jwv lhld kq usw esd’v oydv vs, R’zz vyjl usw bsxl.”
Slkaw vbswtbv vbyv Qks oyp kaalpkpvkczu zshlzu obld bl pyke pwnb y vbkdt okvb y plakswp qynl.
“Tso nswze R dsv oydv vs?”
Qks qzypble y eyggzkdt pxkzl yp Slkaw vktbvzu bwttle bkx cynj.
“Zsw’al ynvkdt yp kq bl olal clkdt blze bspvytl. El olal fwpv byhkdt vly, vbswtb.”&dcpr;
“…Rv zssjp zkjl xu casvbla oyp kd uswa nyal.”
Qks pyanypvknyzzu pyke vs vbl nasod rakdnl, obs pllxle vs cl ldfsukdt bkxplzq.
“Ls dlle vs vbydj xl, yde kv zssjp zkjl usw vssj swv xu qkydnél, vss.”&dcpr;
“She’s the one who asked me to accompany her; you know I can’t refuse.”
“Well, that’s also true.”
Reiru followed their gaze and standing there was the red-haired beauty he had seen earlier.
“My dear fiancée, I would like you to refrain a little from playing around with us.”
“My apologies, Your Royal Highness, but I am not officially your fiancée, so please don’t call me that.”
“You promised to spend tea time with me today.”
“Haa, I’m sorry. I was feeling depressed because I couldn’t receive any additional budget, so I wanted to go out for a diversion.”
“I thought we settled the matter of the budget the other day.”
“It isn’t settled. Please give me more budget.”
“I cannot give you any more of this fiscal year’s budget.”
“Don’t say such unkind words~ After all this time, I’ve found the perfect land for a new test site, you know? I can’t buy it without money!”
“Hmm. Then how about you consult with your house then? It’s a marquis estate of a leading aristocrat. They might even offer to give you a hefty sum of funding.”
“Ah, yes yes, I’ll endure it this time. If I ask my father for any more money, he will disown me, so please don’t say anything, I beg you.”
As soon as he thought that the two beautiful people were conversing with smiles that were unique to nobility, the red-haired woman immediately dropped her tone and demeanor.
Reiru looked up at Gio in surprise at her unpretentious tone that was contrary to her ladylike appearance.
“Gio, is that woman the crown prince’s fiancee?”
“Yes. She doesn’t look very much like one, but she is.”
He couldn’t see it. No, he could see it if she didn’t talk.
Reiru kept quiet, not knowing what to say.
“That person is a magician belonging to the Department of Magical Technology of the Royal Palace. She also made your pendant. Some in the magical engineering field call her a genius—others say she’s an oddball.”
“Oh, I see. She must be an incredible person.”
“Well, yeah. I’ve had some help from her throughout the years, too. She told me that she would do some maintenance on the magic inserted into the stone today so I thought I’d introduce her to you while we were at it… Did I perhaps mislead you?”
“…I misunderstood a bit.”
Gio examined his expression and Reiru felt embarrassed, but he honestly answered.
“I am sorry, but that was sort of like a game… She likes to make fun of me like that. I honestly don’t think of her as a woman, so─”
Gio insisted, cupping Reiru’s cheeks with both hands.
“That’s okay, I just overreacted.”
It made Reiru incredibly happy that Gio was trying so hard to explain for him. Reiru felt strange.
Afterwards, the crown prince once again introduced Reiru to the woman to whom he was engaged.
Her attitude toward Reiru was friendly itself.
“I’m sorry to have caused you worry, Reiru. Actually, Gio is a knight who is famous for his cold reception. He is famous for never kissing the back of the hand, even if he is with the wife of a leading aristocrat or the most beautiful woman in high society.
“Even if the other person is offering to let him kiss them, he only pretends to kiss them in a perfunctory manner. His pretense was also poor. It has already become a complete joke so I tend to get him to play a game of make-believe, the knight and the lady. I’ll cease that joke from now on, so forgive me.”
“No, you don’t have to hold back or anything.”
“Reiru, support the cessation for me. I beg you.”
Gio’s serious tone made Reiru involuntarily laugh.
Although Gio said that, the two of them probably got along. While she performed maintenance on Reiru’s pendant, she and Gio were excitedly discussing some technical topic.
Reiru and the crown prince drank tea again and waited for them to finish their work. In the course of the conversation, the crown prince explained that they were both hardcore, magic-geek buddies, and Reiru agreed that it was no wonder they got along.
Reiru was relieved to learn that Gio had quite a good time in the royal capital.
After the maintenance was completed, it naturally became time for the four of them to chat over a cup of tea.
“Rather, I’m a woman past her prime, probably older than Reiru, and even if I weren’t, there’s no way Gio would ever have an affair. That stone is a real embodiment of obsession. I really wish I could show you the sketch of the magic configuration that Gio brought with him. The only impression it gives is how much he’s in love with you.”
“I-is that so?”
Reiru, who had no magic power, couldn’t understand Gio’s feelings expressed in the pendant. Reiru felt like that was somewhat of a shame.
“Don’t say anything unnecessary.”
“What? It’s the truth.”
“Your story is too exaggerated. You only get a budget each time instead of a lump sum because of your low credibility.”
“No, it’s because Your Highness is stingy.”
“We will discuss carefully whether I am stingy or not from now on. I take it that means you’ll be staying the night?”
“Oh, no, thank you. I’m going home. Reiru, Gio, come see me again when you need maintenance.”
The crown prince amusedly saw her off as she quickly stood up and left the room in a flash.
“Shall we go home, too?”
“Um, let’s go home.”
Reiru took Gio’s extended hand and returned to the inn where they could be alone.
Reiru’s heart ached sweetly at the thought of what would follow.
TN: That’s all the drama in this. From now on, there’s only romance. Enjoy reading.
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